FORT MYERS, Fla.—The University of North Florida women's tennis team opened Atlantic Sun Conference play with a 5-2 victory Friday over Florida Gulf Coast at the FGCU Tennis Complex.

"This was a well fought match on both sides," said head coach Audra Cohen. "We were a little tentative at times, but in the end we stepped up and believed in our ability to play offense and take the match from them. It was a big win for Simona and I'm happy to see her continue to have success at the top position. Furthermore, Marina had a big day; she lost to the same girl last year 6-3, 6-1 and this time she beat her handily."

The Ospreys started the match strong sweeping the doubles. Marina Cunningham and Taylor Hollander posted an 8-4 victory over Bettina Botha and Johanna Sterkel at No. 2 doubles. At the No. 1 position, Simona Weymar and Rebeca Pereira clinched the doubles point with an 8-7 (7-5) win over Elizabeth Means and Sarah Means. Michelle Valdez and Quetzali Vazquez grabbed the final Osprey doubles win by defeating Gyanna Mandic and Candela Munoz Giron 8-6 at the No. 6 spot.

In singles, the Ospreys netted three quick wins to clinch the match. Hollander started off singles with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Botha at No. 6 singles. At the No. 3 spot, Cunningham followed up with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Sterkel. Weymar clinched the match at the No.1 position with a 6-4, 7-5 win over Sarah Means. Esther Zuniga claimed the final point for North Florida defeating Breana Stampfli 6-3, 4-6, 10-7 at No. 2 singles.

The Ospreys next face Stetson Saturday at 2 p.m., at the Mandy Stoll Tennis Center.

University of North Florida 5, Florida Gulf Coast University 2

Singles competition
1. Simona Weymar (UNF-W) def. Sarah Means (FGCU) 6-4, 7-5
2. Esther Zuniga (UNF-W) def. Breana Stampfli (FGCU) 6-3, 4-6, 1-0 (10-7)
3. Marina Cunningham (UNF-W) def. Johanna Sterkel (FGCU) 6-3, 6-2
4. Candela Munoz Giron (FGCU) def. Michelle Valdez (UNF-W) 6-3, 4-6, 6-4
5. Elizabeth Means (FGCU) def. Rebeca Pereira (UNF-W) 6-4, 6-4
6. Taylor Hollander (UNF-W) def. Bettina Botha (FGCU) 6-0, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Simona Weymar/Rebeca Pereira (UNF-W) def. Elizabeth Means/Sarah Means (FGCU) 8-7 (7-5)
2. Marina Cunningham/Taylor Hollander (UNF-W) def. Bettina Botha/Johanna Sterkel (FGCU) 8-4
3. Michelle Valdez/Quetzali Vazquez (UNF-W) def. Gyanna Mandic/Candela Munoz Giron (FGCU) 8-6

Match Notes:
University of North Florida 8-3; National ranking #63
Florida Gulf Coast University 8-7
Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,3,1,5,2,4)